Researchers at the University of Texas have developed wireless "e-tattoos" that can monitor mental workload by tracking brain activity. These ultra-thin, flexible devices stick to the forehead and measure EEG and EOG signals to assess how hard someone's brain is working.
The technology addresses a real challenge - managing mental workload is crucial for safety-critical jobs like air traffic control or lorry driving, where being under-stimulated leads to mistakes whilst being overwhelmed impairs performance.
Traditional EEG equipment is too bulky and wired for practical use.
The e-tattoos use serpentine-shaped electrodes that stretch with skin movement, providing reliable readings even during physical activity. Testing showed they could accurately predict mental workload levels as tasks became more difficult, detecting increased theta and delta brainwaves alongside decreased alpha and beta activity.
This breakthrough could revolutionise workplace wellbeing monitoring. Just as we currently track physical injuries and muscle strain, employers could soon monitor mental fatigue in real-time, fundamentally changing how organisations protect their workforce's cognitive health and optimise performance.